Book #4 in the Dream Harbor series. This series is set in the small town atmosphere of Dream Harbor, with each book featuring a different business and group of citizens. Each contains a touch of romance mixed in with the small town drama that keeps readers coming back for more. It's pretty obvious that this town and it's characters are well known by author Laurie Gilmore, she's brought them to life as she shares them with us.

**Book Review: *The Strawberry Patch Pancake House* by Laurie Gilmore** 🍓🥞💖

If you’re in the mood for a cozy, feel-good romance that serves up **small-town charm, sizzling chemistry, and all the heartwarming vibes**, *The Strawberry Patch Pancake House* is the perfect read. Laurie Gilmore takes us back to **Dream Harbor**, where love, second chances, and delicious pancakes are always on the menu.

**The Story:** Archer, a **world-renowned chef turned small-town pancake house owner**, isn’t exactly living his dream—but he’s doing what’s best for his daughter, Olive. Enter Iris, a **free-spirited nanny** who’s just trying to find her way in life. When she moves in to help take care of Olive, sparks fly between her and Archer. **Forced proximity? Check. Slow-burn romance? Double check.** As they navigate their undeniable attraction, the tight-knit Dream Harbor community and the challenges of single parenthood add even more layers to their story.

**Why You’ll Love It:**

✨ **Single dad/nanny trope done right**—the tension, the tenderness, the *will-they-won’t-they* moments? *Chef’s kiss.*
✨ **Small-town vibes that feel like a warm hug**—nosy but lovable neighbors, community traditions, and the kind of place you *wish* you could move to.
✨ **Emotional depth + swoon-worthy romance**—it’s not just about love; it’s about **finding yourself, healing, and creating a home.**
✨ **Pancakes. Lots and lots of pancakes.** (Warning: This book *will* make you hungry.)

With *The Strawberry Patch Pancake House*, **Laurie Gilmore delivers the ultimate cozy romance that’s as sweet and satisfying as a fresh stack of pancakes.** Whether you’re a longtime Dream Harbor fan or new to the series, this book will leave you smiling (and probably craving breakfast food). **Highly recommend!** 🥞💖

Sadly, this one was a dud for me. I liked the couple well enough, but the premise was not to my taste. It also had my #1 least favorite trope, which ruined the whole thing.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This was a cute 4th installment in the Dream Harbor series. I quite liked Olive, the 5 year old, and I was content with the single dad / nanny trope. It was nothing new, but relatively enjoyable all the same.

What I'm tired of though, and this was even a point of discussion in the book between characters, is that said nanny always needs to get pregnant. Why can't a woman find happiness with her found, adopted family? Why do the nannies always need to get pregnant themselves? I was especially bothered because the first pregnancy was a result of a one night stand. Get it together, Archer. Condoms are your friend sometimes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper 360 for eArc. All thoughts ans opinions are my own.

10 stars ✨ I loved this one so much. Small town vibes. A pancake festival! A small diner! Single dad and nanny. The little girl was so adorable and precious. I enjoyed the banter between the MC’s and the cute dialogue with Olive. Such a cute book!!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This is such a cozy and romantic book. This book follows Iris as she becomes the live-in nanny to the hot new chief/ new single dad. This series is very cozy, and a great pleasant, quick read.

Such a heartwarming story. Archer is a chef and has his career all mapped out until he finds out he is a father, and the mother of his child has died. He knows nothing of caring for a child, but he still tries to make a life for his daughter. Olive wants nothing to do with this man who says he is her father. It is going to be a rocky road. Archer hires Iris to be Olive's nanny. Iris knows nothing of caring for a little girl, but she needs the job. Iris helps Archer and Olive learn to communicate and connect with each other. Then she does the unthinkable and falls in love with her employer and his adorable little girl. Archer shouldn't have fallen in love with the nanny, but she is just so adorable, he couldn't help it. Iris has never done a serious relationship and worries that she will screw it all up for Archer and Olive. What if she lets them down? Archer is ready to wait for her, but will she want to be a family with them?

I love this book series and was excited to see another being added to the collection! The book was beautifully written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!

This book was giving me cozy Gilmore Girl vibes! However, the plot felt a bit rushed and there seemed to be a lot of internal monologue that was repetitive. BUT if you’re looking for an easy romance with hallmark vibes to get you out of a slump, this may be for you!!

Thank you Harper Collins and NetGalley for the arc!

this was a cute and cozy romance read, but nothing memorable. for some reason i just couldn't connect with these characters and the plot twist made me roll my eyes and it just fell apart from there. this was definitely my least favorite of this series...

Laurie Gilmore’s The Strawberry Patch Pancake House is a heartwarming small-town romance about Archer, a chef adjusting to fatherhood, and Iris, a free-spirited nanny. Set in Dream Harbor, the story blends found family, slow-burn romance, and classic tropes like forced proximity. The book’s charm, engaging characters, and cozy atmosphere make it a delightful read. It’s book 4 of Gilmore’s series and it was truthfully my favorite! Thank you Net Galley for letting me read this!

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore is a sweet, easygoing romance about Archer, a single dad trying to take care of his young daughter, Olive. When he needs help, Iris steps in, even though she has no experience with kids. Despite that, she quickly becomes a big help and starts bonding with Olive and Archer.

As they spend time together, love starts to grow between Archer and Iris. It's a light, feel-good story that’s perfect if you want something simple and sweet to relax with. While it doesn’t have a lot of deep drama, it’s just the kind of story to zone out and enjoy.

I continue to enjoy this series! I love the friendships that have been built and how they continue to grow with each new book in the series. I love the small town community and cute shops and restaurants featured in each book. The pancake names of people in the town was my favorite part of this book. I valued the commitment from Archer, it was heartwarming to see the love for his daughter and for the community grow throughout the book and him finding an unexpected place to call “home”.

This was probably my favorite of the series so far! I really enjoy the single dad trope. Archer moves to Dream Harbor to meet and raise his daughter that he didn’t know existed. Iris becomes the nanny to his daughter Olive. I loved how cozy and cute this romance was while navigating the grief of olive losing her mom. The romance between Archer and Iris was so so good!! I love how close the characters are with the small town and all of the people in it. Iris teaches a lot of classes to elderly in the community and they were so fun! Thank you NetGalley for an arc.

🍓ARC Review🍓

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐞 by @lauriegilmore_author

🗓️March 18th

📄 384

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕩𝕡𝕖𝕔𝕥
🍓Single Dad x Nanny
🥞Forced Proximity
🍓Roommates
🥞Slow Burn
🍓Found Family

ᴛʜᴇ ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍ ʜᴀʀʙᴏʀ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ

Archer, a world-renowned chef, finds himself in Dream Harbor after an accident leaves him a single father to daughter, Olive. He reluctantly agrees to take a job at the Strawberry Patch Pancake House where the residents of Dream Harbor immediately dislike him.
Iris is struggling to make ends meet so when a townsperson tells her about the new guy in town looking for childcare, Iris really doesn’t have much of a choice. As the three of them settle into their new normal under one roof it beings to get hot in the kitchen..

𝓜𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
My heart. I absolutely adore this series. It is so cozy and fun. The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was such a easy and comforting read that had me giggling and swooning all the way through. Laurie Gilmore has delivered yet another amazing story of community, love, and family. The relationship between Archer and Olive was so heartwarming. The tension between Archer and Iris was off the charts and the slow burn was so worth it.

I was so happy to catch up with the residents of Dream Harbor! I always look forward to the town hall meetings ♥️

Thank you @netgalley for the arc & @onemorechapterhc for the fun #thestrawberrypatchpancakehouse challenge 🥞

Huge THANK YOU to Haper 360 and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House, by Laurie Gilmore was absolutely delicious! It's cozy, heartwarming, and sexy! Chef's Kiss 💋

Sexy & determined world renowned chef Archer has just had is his world rocked when he suddenly finds out he is the father to a 5 year old little girl named Olive. Oh and little Olive. I've never wanted to hug a book character more in my life.

Iris is gorgeous and quirky and a think of her as a free sprite. She works a bunch of different part-time jobs and has found herself on the struggle bus and about to be evicted when the opportunity to become a live in nanny for Olive comes with cozy perfect timing.

Watching these lovable characters navigate everything sometimes made me wanna cry sad tears and happy tears. I was rooting for these three so hard.

A must read romance for Spring!

I can't wait to see where the next book takes us with Annie & Mac! I'm literally ready to pack my bags and become a Dreamer myself. Haha.. see ya at the next Townhall meeting.


Tropes:
Single Dad
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Found Family

The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore is the fourth book in the Dream Harbor series and I was so incredibly excited to read it! This book did not disappoint. It was so easy to fall back into a familiar town with some familiar characters. This was fluffy and adorable through and through but it had a few steamy scenes and some sensitive topics sprinkled throughout too. Despite this also having one of my least favorite tropes as a twist, I actually really enjoyed how it was executed and think it was perfect for this story. This is perfect for anyone looking for a small town, single dad, cozy romance full of pancakes, strawberries, and love.

Thank you to netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

3.5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.


Thank you to this book for getting me out of my slump!

These books are always fun little romps where you can enjoy a cozy story. I really loved the characters and their dynamics, especially Olive, who was absolutely adorable! These books always feel like a warm hug and are easy to read.

I enjoyed the relationship buildup, though there was a trope I typically like, but it felt a bit unnecessary for the story. However, I’m still really excited for the next book in the series to see what’s going on with Annie and Mac.

If you need a little pick-me-up in the style of a Hallmark movie with some spice, I highly recommend picking this one up! And I 100% made pancakes because of this book—cinnamon and chocolate chip, though sadly, from a box. Sorry, Archer. 😂

Another day, another Laurie Gilmore Dream Harbor book for me to enjoy. Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper 360 for giving me another opportunity to read an ARC copy of a Dream Harbor book! I will inevitably beg you for an ARC copy of the next title because, obviously, I'm obsessed with this little town, all those that live there, and have told many a person that I'd die for Laurie Gilmore.

I'll start off by saying that I genuinely dislike the single dad trope; the only two times I've read it anyway was when it was in a series that I was invested in (including this one). Too often I feel like the strangeness and uncomfortable nature of being a step parent, or surprise parent, is never honestly portrayed. However, Gilmore is unflinching in her portrayal of the fears and heartbreak that these situations can bring about, in a way that doesn't make this a hard read (because let's be honest, we read Dream Harbor for an escape!) but at least is refreshingly honest in a world where these kinds of situations can be Hallmark glorified.

I love that Iris is a mess! Not just in a "aww she's so cute and quirky!" mess, but actually a mess that you can connect with. Connecting to a characters flaws rather than their strengths forms a closer bond between a reader and a story without a doubt, and Gilmore gives us an opportunity to do that with Iris. In an idyllic town like Dream Harbor, where everything is perfect, Iris is fumbling through her young adult years.

Archer is the spicy bad boy chef that I've been craving since The Bear, which Gilmore even mentions in her acknowledgements (hell yeah girl!). His overcoming his innate desire for greatness and pride that is deeply part of the cooking world was really heartwarming.

I loved closing my eyes during this book and getting into my body to really revel in the experience of that undeniable attraction you can have with a person you're really not supposed to have. The fingers touching electricity; the full body awareness you can have with just knowing a person is in the room with you; it had me silent screaming in between the pages (metaphorically, since I read this on my Kindle). The heat in this one was undeniable and I was crazy for it!!

I'm just. so. ready. for the next book already!! Thank you again Laurie Gilmore; you've got a friend in me.